Get on board The Great Train Trip Giveaway! You and a friend could be traveling VIA Rail's signature Silver and Blue class from Rivers to either Toronto or Vancouver ~ a round trip valued at nearly $5,000.!

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Get your tickets today ~ $20. each ~ only 1,000 sold.

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Tickets available at Carol's Time Again Treasures in Rivers, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm ~ call 204-328-4434 ... or ... call 204-328-7841 evenings and weekends.

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All proceeds go to the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project. Draw date is February 14, 2009 in Rivers, MB.

JUST IMAGINE!

You could win a return trip for two from Rivers to either Toronto or Vancouver on VIA Rail's award winning Canadian train. Your one/two day trip each way will begin in Rivers (departs Rivers Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), and you will be treated with VIA's signature Silver & Blue class service throughout the journey.

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Much more than a way to get there, Silver & Blue class offers the romance and sophistication of a classic overnight rail experience. Enjoy the best of Canadian cuisine, freshly prepared and served in the stylish dining car. Pause for a drink in the Skyline car or Park car, or climb up to the observation dome for a 360-degree view of your surroundings. And fall asleep to the rhythm of the rails in your cozy private bedroom.

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As a Silver & Blue class passenger, you enjoy pre-boarding privileges and priority baggage handling at major stations, comfortable bedrooms with nightly bed turn down service, exclusive use of shower facilities, exclusive use of lounges and observation dome in the Park car, and an on-board Activity Coordinator. Special touches include a "Welcome Aboard!" reception and appetizers and wine, personal shower kit, 24-hour complimentary tea/coffee service, and of course, courteous staff attentive to your every need.

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As all meals are included in your trip, dining in Silver & Blue class is a memorable experience in itself. Whether for breakfast, lunch or any of the three evening sittings, an enticing menu is freshly prepared by our on-board chef, featuring soups and salads, superb hot entrees and irresistible desserts.

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Full Draw Regulations are in the previous posting.

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For any further information regarding the Great Train Trip Giveaway ... or the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project, please call 204-328-7841.

Everyone present at the official opening of the Rivers Train Stationette was thrilled when VIA Rail Canada representative Michael Woelcke presented co-chairs Ralph Sprenger and Donna Morken with a travel voucher. The promotional travel certificate will entitle the bearer to two (2) round trip tickets in silver & blue class - valid for travel from Rivers to either Vancouver or Toronto! The value of the voucher is estimated up to $5,000 and deemed perfect as a fundraising raffle for the project.

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At a luncheon following the opening, Mr. Woelcke announced that VIA Rail Canada would also be picking up all costs of the renovations made to the stationette building. VIA Rail's commitment in assisting and working with the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project committee is generous and warmly welcomed.

Rivers Train Station Restoration Project committee members Barb Sveistrup and Arleigh White held the ribbon while (l to r) VIA Rail Canada representative Michael Woelcke, committee co-chairs Ralph Sprenger and Donna Morken performed the honours of cutting the ribbon.

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The stationette provides a well-lit, warm, secure and safe place for passengers boarding or arriving in Rivers. Formerly located at Brandon North the Rivers Train Stationette is now the only VIA Rail boarding station west of Portage la Prairie into eastern Saskatchewan and between the south and north Manitoba borders.

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Community members graciously gave their time and expertise in moving the stationette to it's location. Moving was done by Mark Gill of Gill Farms, Oak River; shingles were donated by Accent Roofing, Brandon; construction work was done by Doug Marriott of Marriott Construction, Rivers; Harold Dyck, Rivers offered his skills in welding and many committee members and their families did the painting and sprucing up! The signage was donated by Neil Roy of Richmond Signs in Brandon. Everyone's efforts resulted in a building we can all be proud of. Just wait til we get started on the main station house!

All funding for the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project is raised through government grants; individual, business and corporate support/sponsorship and various fundraising projects such as the sale of heritage keepsakes (railway spikes and station prints), personalized bricks for the Wall of Memories as well as Rivers Train Station note cards. See below.

About The Project

MISSION

The Rivers Train Station Restoration Committee members are dedicated to the Restoration, Renovation & Rejuvenation of the Rivers Train Station to a viable property for heritage preservation and economic development. To ensure the Community & Area have an opportunity to Connect with the Past while creating a Vision for the Future.

HERITAGE

The station is a federally designated heritage site.

CANADA'S FIRST 'GREEN' HERITAGE STATION

The method of restoration will be carried out following the most environmentally efficient criteria making this Canada's first 'green' heritage train station!

FUNDING

Funding for restoration is being made possible through grants, corporate and individual support, as well as fundraising.

ONLY VIA RAIL BOARDING STATION IN WESTERN MANITOBA

VIA Rail Canada has sited Rivers as the only boarding station west of Portage la Prairie into eastern Saskatchewan, and between the north and south Manitoba borders.

About Us

Passionate community members and VIA Rail are working to restore Rivers train station to a viable property for heritage preservation and economic development in the most environmentally way possible. ALL ABOARD!

September 21, 1917 - a newly constructed railway depot was presented to the public with a station restaurant (The Beanery) and a waiting-room dance.

Early 1990's - Rivers Train Station eventually closes it's doors completely after a gradual decline in services. From a full service depot, to a whistle stop and back to a major boarding depot, VIA travelers continue to board or arrive at Rivers depot.

Late 1990's - Rivers Train Station is designated as a federal heritage site.

Fall 2006 - A committee is formed to save and restore the Rivers train station. Initiated by the Rivers/Daly Community Development Corporation, the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project committee's mission is to restore Rivers Train Station to a viable property for heritage preservation and economic development.

September 2008 - For the first time in memory, all trains east and westbound on the CN line through Rivers lay quiet for 24 hours as crews made significant upgrades to the trestle bridge at Rivers.

September 9, 2008 - The Rivers train 'stationette' officially opens after the closing of Brandon North station making Rivers the only boarding station in western Manitoba for VIA passengers traveling to points east and west. Close to 2,000 passengers board or arrive on VIA at the Rivers depot annually. VIA and the RTSRP committee anticipate those numbers to increase.

Present - the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project committee continues to work towards restoring the current train station building to be Canada's first 'green' heritage train station. The method of restoration will be carried out following the most environmentally efficient criteria. Funding for restoration is being made possible through grants, corporate and individual support, as well as fundraising. ALL BOARD!